Santa Monica Studio’sGod of War: Ragnarokis a modern masterpiece in the eyes of numerous players and critics. 2022’s continuation of Kratos and Atreus' adventures through the Norse lands constituted the next leg of its epic journey, encompassing the characters' emotionally affecting arcs and portrayals along with stunning visuals and viscerally alluring combat design.God of War: Ragnarokconcluded with a climatic confrontation that segued into a more subdued epilogue, as the father and son duo reckoned with their decisions and evolving relationship.
Following that, rumors and leaks spurred speculation that the developer was possibly working on aGod of War: Ragnarokhalf-sequelor similar entry, though nothing official was stated at the time. Then in December, the studio surprised and pleased fans who were craving more time with Kratos and co., as during The Game Awards 2023, it announced the free Valhalla DLC forRagnarok. Valhalla was a roguelike experience, putting a new spin on its gameplay. As it shares many core elements with the main game’s Muspelheim’s trials, fusing both together would create an even more intense, elaborate, and enjoyable mode.
Santa Monica recently posted a job listing that is again heavily thought to confirm anewGod of Wartitlein some stage of development.
Combining God of War: Ragnarok’s Muspelheim and Valhalla Designs Would Open a Pandora’s Box of Possibility
God of War: Ragnarok’s Muspelheim Trials and Valhalla DLC Are Made for Each Other
Once players enteredGod of War: Ragnarok’s Muspelheimrealm, they could undertake a series of optional challenges. These trials were set by Surtr, the domain’s keeper, and were composed of an assortment of combat sections with extra stipulations, such as time limits. Muspelheim’s trials required players to, for example, kill a set number of foes in accompanying arenas, usually using specific weapons and abilities to dispose of them in a particular manner. They were mechanically demanding scenarios, testing gamers' knowledge and skills withRagnarok’s variety of battle mechanics. For clearing them, fans earned extra rewards, like unique new gear for Kratos, as well as related trophies/achievements.
God of War: Ragnarok’s Valhalla DLC was a full-blown roguelike, introducing procedurally generated sections pulled randomly from a rotating pool of level setups and arrangements of foes. These were layered in service of a well-crafted narrative that explored Kratos' frame of mind and assessment of his position in the aftermath of the main story. Giant and former war god Tyr, after being freed from Odin’s plot and impersonation, wished to serve as a sort of spiritual mentor for Kratos, and invites him to explore his checkered past within Valhalla’s walls via testing his mettle against its gauntlet.
How God of War: Ragnarok Could Integrate the Muspelheim Trials into Valhalla
God of War: Ragnarok’s Valhalla DLC’s roguelike design integrated extremely well with the core game’s existing systems. The framework matched narratively and in gameplay, and even failed attempts could still prove fruitful in the long run, as certain resources acquired throughout persisted after deaths. This design allowed fans to use some of these to grant Kratos further boosts in the Valhalla DLC along the way, both permanent and temporary, to assist in subsequent tries.
Given all that, the two ideas would benefit incredibly from being blended together to create fresh and more elaborate versions of runs, where the objectives and subareas might be remixed and matched from parts of bothGod of War: Ragnarok’s Valhallaand Muspelheim to constantly keep players on their toes. Such a mingling would present fans with new and interesting amalgamations built from the best and most fun parts of each, extending their replayability. Perhaps Santa Monica could even add in new trophies for those who enjoy chasing them. In any case,Ragnarok’s Muspelheim trials and the roguelike components of Valhalla would complement each other greatly, and the studio might do well to consider adding this possibility in a future update.
God of War Ragnarok
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Embark on an epic and heartfelt journey as Kratos and Atreus struggle with holding on and letting goFrom Santa Monica Studio comes the sequel to the critically acclaimed God of War (2018). Fimbulwinter is well underway. Kratos and Atreus must journey to each of the Nine Realms in search of answers as Asgardian forces prepare for a prophesied battle that will end the world. Along the way they will explore stunning, mythical landscapes, and face fearsome enemies in the form of Norse gods and monsters. The threat of Ragnarök grows ever closer. Kratos and Atreus must choose between their own safety and the safety of the realms.
